Virtual reality used to be the domain of fantastical video games or frontier-pushing researchers in multimillion dollar labs. But as the technology gets less expensive, VR could transform the architectural world

After years of belt tightening, consumers spent 7.9 percent more than last year between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, and ponied up for furniture and other high-priced items, according to MasterCard SpendingPulse.

"We think the protests should be done," said the owner of two retail stores and seven kiosks at the Mall of America. "But not here, not to the retailers, not to the shoppers. Because none of us did anything."